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The best 4K Blu-ray players do more than just play discs nowadays.
When I tested the UB154 and UB820, the picture quality of both impressed me.
Godzilla vs Kong(pictured) played through the Panasonic DP-UB820 on a Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV
But what makes the two players different?
Even the mid-range UB820 provides greater detail than the entry-level UB154.
We said in our review of the UB9000 that its upscaling provides a slick, detailed presentation.
Godzilla vs Kong(pictured) played through the Panasonic DP-UB820 on a Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV
HDR support is where the UB154 differs from its more premium counterparts.
It doesnt offer Dolby Vision, but does support the less commonly used HDR10+ format.
Audio
Audio decoding and support is a surprisingly even playing field among these models.
The Panasonic DP-UB820
This was the only difference in terms of codec support that I could see.
For audiophiles, its worth noting that none of these players support SACD or DVD-A playback.
However, all these named players support CD playback if you want to hold on to your CD collection.
The Panasonic DP-UB820 (pictured) comes with a good amount of connections for a mid-range player
Features
Features are where your budget matters with 4K Blu-ray players.
As a budget player, the UB154 comes up short compared to the rest of the range.
Among the most noticeable differences between these players are their menus and usability.
Panasonic Blu-ray players feature settings to tailor picture and audio to your taste
The UB820 is the real standout here, as it feels suitably tough, and is also a workhorse.
From my personal experience, the UB820 is built to last and delivers excellent picture quality.
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